Partner Article

Landlord bans mobiles

A Durham landlord has banned the use of mobile phones in his pub.

Harry Walker is ordering anyone who wishes to use their phone to go outside with the smokers, whatever the weather.

He said it was anti-social and he will refuse to serve anyone who breaks his rule in the Court Inn in Durham.

His customers said they welcomed the peace and quiet the ban brought.

“When a group of four or six people come in here for a meal they don’t want to be disturbed by phones ringing,” he said. “It is as bad as smoking. It’s just bad manners. It’s disrespectful to others to make them listen to your conversations.

“So we ask people to go outside - they can congregate with the smokers.”

He said no-one had seriously challenged his ruling but “if push comes to shove I would stop serving them”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .